The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-31
POOR Lass

~ NfNy N"' ~ NbtAOt .luNJ KUN
lngling down the white road :,
Swinton, which ran at the bottom o
the field lying in trout of the Pendle
bury Chlldren's Hospital. A wei
knit young fellow was walking NJ
one OF the gravel paths that lead from
the sweep Of the carriage drive, be
tween the square grass plots, TO the
patients visitors door in the
side fthe long central corridor, one
blazing September afternoon. Hif
moleskin trou lers and corduroy
waistcoat made with sleeves, and
faced with dark brown velveteou
open below the top button, over a
blue gu rnsey, made one at once feel
sure that neither horses nor boats
were totally unfamiliar to him. Aud
lastly, the soalskin cap which he
took of and twirled IN his great
hands as he reached the door, would
let anyone who has ever walked on
the towing path OF canal into tho
secret OF his apparently double occu-
patton.
John Thrupp was q bargee; and q
fine strspping young fellow; an easy
six feet IN his blue worsted socks
deep in the chest and with not an
ounce OF superhuous fat anywhere.
II his brow was low, with the hair
that fell over IL coarse and tan COL.
ored, it was broad and stood up.
right" and tho eyes under il were
good, honest blue ones. The clean
shaved lips met firmly over two rows
OF strong white teeth, in a Jaw heavy
but not brutal. No one could cali
John Tbrupp lout il he was bar
gee; and though he stopped little
from the shoulders, il wasn't the
outcome OF slouchy nature in the
man. but simply because he could,
and did IL necessary, drag, by rope
over his shoulder, q heavy numbering
barge that would pusrle many an up.
right guardsnan TO stir. SO lar from
being lout, John Thrupp had two
at least OF the indispensable attri.
butes OF q gentleman. He was man
Of his word, and he had love OF
cleapliness--inside and out. That
he paid his wsy-if only along
the towing path Of q canal
and worked AZ hard ~
he had strength for were, |
think, two other very gentlemanly
habits but many folk may think
that i am quite wrong about this:
and az | want only 10 tell you q plain
tale, we won't 20 into 10 disputed a
subject any further. Mind you, / do
not believe that all bargees are hon
est, or even clean; | don't indeed
but this particular bargec was.
He loved his cold plunge in tho
Breads At daylight. told the truth as
uuvaringly, aud enjoyed clean
shave ~ keeuly as any gentleman
stroke in a Varsity Eight.
Well This bargee turned shade
paler, IN spite OF his six feet and
broad shoulders, as no caught sight
Of tho rows Of whitss beds with thc
red jaoke,ed little forms in then, in
the wards on either side of the path.
He moisened his lips and swallo we'd
little nervOusly, as no rung a bell
beside the open doorway that startled
him by changing just over his head.
A brisk yoios said:
Come in; como straight on;" aud
doing 80 John iouud himself, after
passing thr0lgh a small receiving
room, IA the Long slate paved oorri.
doA With lts fifty pale windows, and
double sets OF glass doors opening
into the long branching pavilion
wards. The corridor looked inter.
minable, aud the shafts of suuli sht,
slantirg through the high windsw vs.
on the right, seemed TO cut It's great
lcngih into diagonal strips.
Two doctors, Ia loose jtokcts aud
with bare heads, were standing AZ the
far end, talking. bat their voices did
not reach o. where John stood, q lii.
tie dared, aud At a loss how 90 pro
seed. Tse sane brisk voice, now
close behind him, remarked:
"Well2' aud paused
John turAcd aud saw n blue.
gowned, whito.aproncd figure, in a
high white cap, sitting on a polished
bench AGAINST the dark wall--lool
ing Tor all The world like a blue aud
white china tile set up AGAINST n dark
oak shelf. The nurso--ior il was
nursc--or at least probatiOnor land
not tile) had pencil and book in
her hand aud without looking up
went on rapidly:
Who b. sect How many7 Only
yoursoli2 No infection OF any sort
AZ home, hope; whom did you s,yf"
glancing at last up at poor Johns
puzzled lace, with her pencil ready
Ia put a GROSS against the patient no
should ask for.
"A little girl, at least young
girl, said John. Nancy Bittson,"
adding a little unstcsdily, she was
hurt--here," touching his own broad
chest.
Hayward Wird-in the Special"
replied the nurse, getling up aud
standing BY John, 20 point up the
corridor Go straight up 10 the
statue aud turn into the glass doors
10 the lett, under the lantern in tho
roof.
"Thauk YOU, ma'am," said John.
going as directed, aud thea turned
hesltatingly 10 her, aud said. How
is she, miss, please"
But Toe nurse did not know. She
said she was over on the other side
10 Licbert," bat that the Sister Ia
l,vFari would TIL him.
Poor Joha did not understand a,
al what tne mcaut, but he thanked
Der and walked up the corridor as di.
foeted, lurchlnga liz le from side 10
side 10 hi. anxiety TO prevent
his great nailed boots making such
an embarrassing noise.
Like al who are unaccustomed 10
life In hospital, Johu thought ev.
cry sound, even out there in the cor.
rider, must wakcD some poor soul.
lie looked At the two trim nurses
who passed him higher up quite re.
PEACEFULLY tor actually laughing and
ohst,eriag ~ close 10 his poor liule
girl, wh, had been 80 nearly killed
a siskoning expectation and al.